Dar es Salaam. In what looks like a tactical double swoop, Egyptian giants Zamalek SC are closing in on a high-profile move for Young Africans (Yanga) striker Clement Mzize in a deal reportedly worth $750,000 (approx Sh2 billion).
The club’s top brass are keen to finalise a two-year deal for the red-hot Tanzanian Premier League star, with strategic financial planning underpinning their transfer masterstroke.
According to reports from Egypt, Zamalek will structure the transfer fee in two installments.
The first payment of $375,000 (approx. Sh991 million) will be made upfront to secure Mzize’s signature, while the remaining amount will be settled from January 2026.
This approach is meant to ease the club’s financial load while keeping doors open for another major acquisition.
That second target is none other than Ben Malango the DR Congo international striker who recently became a free agent after parting ways with Qatar SC, a club competing in the Qatar Stars League.
Zamalek’s board believe the pairing of Mzize and Malango could significantly sharpen their attacking edge ahead of the new season.
Mzize + Malango to revamp Zamalek’s attack
Zamalek see this transfer strategy as killing two birds with one stone securing the services of a young, rising talent (Mzize) and combining him with a proven goal-scorer with international experience (Malango).
The Egyptian powerhouse is hoping this dynamic pairing can rejuvenate their frontline, restore continental dominance, and mount a serious title challenge both domestically and in CAF competitions.
Ben Malango is no stranger to success, having previously played for TP Mazembe and CS Don Bosco in DR Congo, Raja Casablanca in Morocco, and most recently Sharjah FC in the UAE.
His physical presence, aerial threat, and scoring instinct make him an ideal fit to complement Mzize’s technical flair and youthful energy.
From Yanga graduate to transfer sensation
Mzize’s trajectory has been nothing short of impressive. Initially groomed at Yanga, his breakthrough came under Nasreddine Nabi, the Tunisian tactician who is now the head coach of Kaizer Chiefs.
Nabi was the one who promoted Mzize into the senior team and trusted him with crucial minutes.
In the 2022-2023 season, Mzize was part of the Yanga squad that clinched the Tanzanian Premier League title and reached the CAF Confederation Cup final, only losing the title to USM Alger on away goals after a 2-2 aggregate draw.
He scored 5 goals and assisted once in the league during that campaign, contributing directly to 6 out of 61 goals scored by Yanga that season. Last season (2023-2024), he elevated his game further.
Mzize recorded 6 goals and 7 assists, meaning he was involved in 13 out of 71 goals scored by Yanga as they won the league for the third consecutive time, finishing the season with 80 points.
His performances have not only turned heads across Africa but also made him one of the hottest prospects in East African football.
The transfer battle
Zamalek are not the first club to pursue Mzize. Earlier this year, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco and South African giants Kaizer Chiefs had shown serious interest in acquiring the striker.
Kaizer Chiefs, under coach Nabi, reportedly tabled an offer of $200,000 (approx Sh542.3 million), which was promptly rejected by Yanga.
Wydad Casablanca, then under the guidance of Rhulani Mokwena, reportedly offered $100,000 (approx Sh271.1 million), which also failed to meet Yanga’s valuation of the player.
The Tanzanian champions made it clear that they were only willing to let go of Mzize for not less than $1 million (over Sh2.7 billion).
The $750,000 offer from Zamalek may not meet that full valuation, but the structured payment approach and Zamalek’s prestige appear to have swayed the negotiations in their favour.
If the deal is finalised, it will mark one of the biggest transfers involving a Tanzanian Premier League player in recent years.
The numbers behind Mzize’s brilliance
In his first two seasons, Mzize has been directly involved in 19 goals (11 goals and 8 assists) in league play alone.
So far in the current 2024-2025 season, which is underway, Mzize has already contributed to 16 goals scoring 13 and assisting 3 cementing his role as a critical part of the Yanga squad.
His blend of pace, finishing, and tactical awareness make him an attractive proposition for any top-tier club.
At just 21 years of age, Mzize still has massive room for growth and could prove to be a long-term asset if nurtured correctly.
